Leica Hardy receives honorary doctorate

>> by Naomi Brand

Dance educator and choreographer Leica Hardy received an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Saint Mary's University last month during the spring convocation ceremony. Hardy is the owner and artistic director of the Leica Hardy School of Dance in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, where she has contributed to the field of dance for thirty years. Born in Toronto, Hardy trained in ballet and modern dance at York University, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, The School of American Ballet in New York and the Banff Centre, studying with Canadian modern dance teachers Linda Rabin, David Earle and Carol Anderson, among others. She has performed across Canada and has choreographed over forty works including pieces for Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia, Mocean Dance and Symphony Nova Scotia where she has choreographed and directed The Nutcracker for over twenty years. Hardy has had an extensive career as a dance educator in both Ontario and Nova Scotia and is the founder of the Young Company of Halifax Dance. She is in an examiner for the Society of Russian Ballet and is a member of its national executive council. "The offer of the degree was an enormous surprise," says Hardy, "and I am particularly gratified that my contribution to dance over the years is being recognized beyond our dance community. St. Mary's is also making a significant public statement – that dance and dance education are an important part of our lives in Nova Scotia."